Heavy rain submerges houses and blocks the Awka‑Onitsha highway.

•Ogidi youths urge Tinubu, Soludo to intervene
By Vincent Ujumadu

Flooding on both sides of the Awka‑Onitsha old highway has submerged several houses in Ogidi, located in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The situation worsened after heavy rainfall in the early hours of Monday. Many residents who have been affected by the flood are already packing their belongings and moving to safer parts of the state.

Several vehicles were stranded in the flooded area, which has completely covered about two kilometres of the busy road. Motorists have been forced to detour to nearby villages, where youths have set up tolls and demanded payment before allowing passage.

Concerned about the development, the youths of Ogidi marched along the flooded highway with placards, calling on both the federal and state governments to intervene immediately to prevent further damage to the community.

Mr. Chris Obi Okafor, president of the Ogidi youths and leader of the protest, appealed to President Bola Tinubu and Governor Chukwuma Soludo to address the problem without delay.

In a speech delivered on the flooded road, Okafor said the flood had grounded the local economy, a recurring issue every rainy season. He added, “Every rainfall in our community has become a nightmare. What used to be a blessing from God has now become a season of fear, sorrow, and destruction. The flood disaster in Ogidi has gone beyond ordinary suffering; it has become a humanitarian crisis.”

He continued, “Our fathers can no longer go to their farms with peace because cash crops and economic trees worth millions have been washed away. Businesses are collapsing daily. Roads have become rivers. Homes are flooded. Movement has become almost impossible.”

Okafor also noted that the palace and surrounding areas of the traditional ruler, Igwe Ogidi, are not spared. “Whenever rain falls, the area becomes impassable. If the palace of our traditional ruler can be overtaken by flood, then tell us, where exactly is safe in Ogidi?” he said.

He emphasized the impact on children, stating, “Our children are the ones suffering the most painful fate. Each time rain falls, many children cannot go to school. Imagine the future we are creating when our children are forced to stay at home every rainy season. Imagine the dreams that are dying silently because a child cannot cross flood waters to access education.”

Okafor pleaded with President Tinubu for urgent federal intervention and addressed Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, saying, “We have stood faithfully with the progress of Anambra State, but today, our people look back in pain and ask: In what way have we offended the government?” He added, “Mr. Governor, please do not ignore our cries. We have no other place to run to. Do not allow Ogidi to perish in silence.”

He also called on the Federal Ministry of Works, the Anambra State Ministry of Works, emergency management agencies, and other relevant authorities responsible for erosion and flood control in Nigeria to provide assistance.

“This is not politics; this is about human lives; this is about children; this is about survival,” Okafor pleaded.

The traditional ruler of Ogidi, Igwe Alexander Onyido, addressed the youths, urging them not to take the law into their own hands while commending their peaceful approach. He said he would lead a delegation to meet Governor Soludo on the issue and recalled the governor’s previous promise to tackle the flood, questioning the cause of the delay.

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